Police chief blasts TV crime show

A TV programme featuring notorious ex-villains carrying out major crimes has been slammed as "nuts" by Greater Manchester's top cop. Chief Constable Mike Todd branded Channel 4's The Heist as "reality television gone mad" and accused its producers of glamorising and encouraging crime.

A TV programme featuring notorious ex-villains carrying out major crimes has been slammed as "nuts" by Greater Manchester's top cop.

Chief Constable Mike Todd branded Channel 4's The Heist as "reality television gone mad" and accused its producers of glamorising and encouraging crime.

The programme's first episode, due to air at 9pm on Tuesday, will show a group of criminal masterminds attempt to steal a painting from an "impregnable" gallery.

The gang includes armed robber Terry Smith - once Britain's most wanted man - and retired burglar Peter Scott, who stole é30m of jewellery and art from victims including Sophia Loren and Liz Taylor.

Mr Todd revealed his dismay after seeing a review copy of the programme. It ended up glamorising crime, making it exciting," said Mr Todd. "I don't think it is a great message for our young people.

"There are going to be victims who have had their homes broken into, who have had a shotgun shoved in their face. Yet these people are being put up as experts on Channel 4 saying, `Look, these are great people'.

"You are holding them up, in effect, as role models and respecting their expertise. I thought it was reality TV gone mad. I thought it was nuts."

Mr Todd also claimed the criminal techniques used in the programme could "give ideas" to real-life thieves.

"Young kids could say, 'That's a really great idea, I could get a hacksaw and break into school'," he warned.

David Glover, one of the show's producers, denied The Heist was glamorising crime. He said he had taken advice from police about what was and was not safe to show.

"We try to draw you in at the start of the films so people can think it is exciting, but also show the down side," he said. "I don't think you should try to cover up this side of life. We chose criminals who are reformed. I don't think it is sending a bad message to our children."

A spokeswoman for TV regulator Ofcom said anything that encouraged or incited crime was unacceptable.

But she added: "Broadcasters are responsible for determining what they broadcast and making sure it complies with the code of practice. We will watch the programme."